Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Singapore
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 25% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 42 (SGD $15) | SGD $13 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 (SGD $12) | SGD $10 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (SGD $5.49) | SGD $7 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (SGD $2.36) | SGD $3.81 | - 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (SGD $5.37) | SGD $5.30 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 4.93 (SGD $1.83) | SGD $3.72 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (SGD $7) | SGD $16 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (SGD $2.95) | SGD $5.90 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.66 (SGD $1.36) | SGD $4.20 | - 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (SGD $3.74) | SGD $5.80 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 (SGD $24) | SGD $43 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (SGD $3.16) | SGD $3.26 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (SGD $1.66) | SGD $3.25 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 33% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,899 (SGD $3,680) | SGD $6,335 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,073 (SGD $2,629) | SGD $4,697 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 (SGD $329) | SGD $276 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,950 (SGD $2,212) | SGD $4,640 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,006 (SGD $1,489) | SGD $3,300 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 650 (SGD $242) | SGD $181 | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (SGD $123) | SGD $44 | + 178% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 931 (SGD $346) | SGD $746 | - 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 (SGD $132) | SGD $189 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (SGD $16) | SGD $13 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (SGD $14) | SGD $25 | - 45% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 194 (SGD $72) | SGD $105 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 (SGD $69) | SGD $58 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (SGD $127) | SGD $143 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 (SGD $126) | SGD $157 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 72% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 72% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 93,159 (SGD $34,628) | SGD $157,690 | - 78% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.10 (SGD $1.15) | SGD $3.02 | - 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 (SGD $36) | SGD $129 | - 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 31% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 (SGD $5.00) | SGD $13 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 (SGD $11) | SGD $38 | - 71% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 (SGD $101) | SGD $73 | + 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (SGD $10) | SGD $13 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (SGD $6) | SGD $5.45 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (SGD $9) | SGD $19 | - 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (SGD $4.73) | SGD $3.73 | + 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (SGD $4.43) | SGD $5.22 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 42 (SGD $16) | SGD $48 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 22% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 (SGD $63) | SGD $77 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (SGD $34) | SGD $31 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 (SGD $119) | SGD $216 | - 45% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 292 (SGD $109) | SGD $152 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (SGD $30) | SGD $23 | + 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (SGD $8) | SGD $7 | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (SGD $15) | SGD $12 | + 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,948 (SGD $724) | SGD $922 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (SGD $0.26) | SGD $0.31 | - 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 (SGD $97) | SGD $189 | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (SGD $7) | SGD $16 | - 53% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.37171
SGD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,273 prices entered by 430 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 42% cheaper than in Singapore
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